Mountain REC

Visitors to the Mountain Community Complex may have noticed some exciting changes around Building Blocks Cooperative Preschool. The Loma Prieta Community Foundation’s Mountain REC Program has launched a traffic-flow safety project, a community-driven effort focused on improving safety and traffic flow.

Recent improvements include the installation of traffic delineators (thank you LPJUSD, LPCF, and Santa Cruz County) and new temporary striping of a one-way traffic pattern in front of Building Blocks. We have also created temporary pedestrian easements for bicyclists and walkers around Building Blocks. The temporary striping is designed to be a stop-gap measure while plans for the Mountain Community Complex parking area are developed.

The event striping was inspired by the needs of the many groups and events that use the Mountain Community Complex, including the Mountain Farmer’s Market (don’t forget to shop local), the Loma Prieta Volunteer Fire and Rescue’s annual barbecue, and Building Blocks’ Summer Camp.

A special thank you goes to Leif Linden, a Building Blocks parent and dedicated volunteer, whose vision, planning, and leadership helped bring the Michael Scherer Broker Owner 01224636 23111 Santa Cruz Hwy 17 Los Gatos 95033 Mike@MountainMike.com 408-353-6453 PROPERTIESPROPERTIES Specializing in 95033 TRUST ESTATE SALES Trustees, Timelines, Family Dynamics traffic-flow safety project to life. Leif spent countless hours evaluating traffic patterns, developing the layout, and implementing the striping with volunteer support. His commitment to create a safer parking lot for members has been instrumental to the project’s success.

Mountain REC is also working to beautify the public playground next to Building Blocks. Sarah Walker, a local playground designer who played a critical role in Building Blocks’ play yard renovation last summer, is volunteering her time and energy to support this effort, along with other volunteers on the REC team. We'll share more information soon.

members interested in supporting Mountain REC may donate to help fund current initiatives. Scan the QR code or visit LPCF.org and click the donate button. Select Mountain REC in the dropdown menu. If you have questions about projects or are you interested in getting involved in Mountain REC initiatives, email me at teacher_jessie@lpcf.org.

Grapevine Recall Sour Grapes Robin Porter The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is urging anyone who purchased grapevines from Costco stores in Northern California between April 21 and May 21 to contact their local agricultural commissioner immediately. Visit www.

agdept.com in Santa Cruz County, or ag.santaclaracounty.gov/division-agriculture in Santa Clara County. Grapevines from a Fresno nursery shipped to California Costco stores in April and May were found to be carrying the glassy-winged sharpshooter, an insect capable of spreading a potentially lethal vine disease. They sold 13,000 vines in Northern California.

Winegrapes are one of California’s largest cash crops, generating approximately $73 billion annually. In the Santa Cruz Mountains, there are over 200 small vineyards cultivating about 1,500 acres of wine grapes. Our local wine industry generates an estimated $45 million in sales revenue annually, and employs many people.

This pest could wreak havoc. When the first glassy-winged sharpshooter was detected on vines sold at the warehouse retailer, the CDFA, agricultural commissioners, and winegrape growers began an immediate and widespread containment effort. In addition to destroying infested stock still in Costco warehouses, CDFA is working to locate vines sold to consumers.

Costco is offering a full refund to anyone who purchased these vines, and customers do not need to return the vines to receive a refund. If you purchased one of these vines, contact your county agricultural commissioner, then place the plant inside two trash bags, one inside the other, and seal them closed. Do NOT place the plant in the trash or compost bin. An agricultural inspector will visit, inspect the vine, and if necessary, remove and dispose of the vine.

California first recognized the threat of the glassy-winged sharpshooter in 1999, when a major outbreak of Pierce’s Disease in the Temecula Valley destroyed more than 300 acres of vineyards. Winegrape growers responded by working with the CDFA to create the Pierce’s Disease Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Board to control the pest and find solutions to the disease it carries. The program has successfully contained GWSS for over 25 years.